In his first public appearance since the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Iran would retaliate against any future U.S. attack by striking American military bases across the Middle East. Speaking in a televised address from an undisclosed location, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed victory after the 12-day conflict, highlighting Iran’s strike on a major U.S. base in Qatar following American involvement in Israeli operations.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Claims Victory and Rejects U.S. Demands
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, emphasised that Iran would never surrender to the demands of the United States, despite President Donald Trump’s calls. He asserted that the U.S. is not interested in negotiation but in Iran’s surrender, a stance that Iran will never accept. “The U.S. President Trump unveiled the truth and made it clear that Americans won’t be satisfied with anything less than surrender. Such an event will never happen,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated during his pre-recorded message aired on state television.
Positioned between the Iranian flag and a portrait of his predecessor Ruhollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the Iranian attack on the U.S. base in Qatar as a significant move, underlining Iran’s capability to target important American centres in the region whenever it deems necessary. “This incident can be repeated in the future if an attack is made,” he warned, signalling that Iran would not hesitate to act if it faces further aggression.
U.S. and Israel’s Stance Amid Conflicting Claims
The tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high, with Trump stating that the U.S. would strike again if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear enrichment programme, an accusation Tehran has long denied. Over the weekend, Trump claimed that the U.S. had used heavy bombs to obliterate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but initial assessments from U.S. intelligence suggested that the damage may not have been as extensive as claimed.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei downplayed the impact of U.S. strikes, stating that the attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites did not achieve any significant results, asserting that the U.S. had entered the conflict to protect Israel when Iranian missiles penetrated Israel’s defence systems. “The U.S. directly entered the war as it felt that if it did not get involved, the Zionist regime would be fully destroyed. It entered the war to save it,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “historic victory” following the ceasefire, claiming that Israel had successfully removed Tehran’s nuclear and missile threat. Shortly after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s speech, Netanyahu posted a photograph with Trump, expressing continued cooperation in their efforts to counter common adversaries in the region.
As tensions continue, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s remarks underline Iran’s readiness to retaliate if targeted again, reinforcing the fragile and complex situation in the Middle East while demonstrating Iran’s resolve to maintain its strategic stance despite increasing external pressures.
